Impregnation, varnishing, or perhaps using a lacquer-stain? There are at least a few ways to effectively protect, preserve, and safeguard raw wood. In this post, we’ll present the most important ones. If you’re wondering what to paint a wooden garden gazebo with to protect it, among other things, from moisture — you’ll find a comprehensive answer here. Enjoy the read!
Wood maintenance
The once-common wood seasoning process, which was widely used until recently, required protecting it from pests and fungi with appropriate preparations. Today, however, for building wooden houses in timber-frame construction, as well as in projects such as holiday cabins and wooden garden gazebos, grill houses and carports, kiln-dried wood is increasingly used. This processing method eliminates pests and fungi. It ensures that wooden elements that do not contact the weather (such as the frames of Canadian-style houses) do not require additional protection. However, wooden elements that stay outdoors and thus contact rain, snow, moisture and dust should be protected — best with appropriately chosen wood preservatives.
At Drewnolandia we use only kiln-dried wood. You can read more on this topic in the post: What is kiln-dried wood? and Do homes and wooden structures need protection?.
Below we present an overview of the available on the market methods for protecting and maintaining wood. With the caveat that they relate mainly to seasoned wood and kiln-dried wood subjected to weather conditions.
Impregnation
Protecting wood from moisture? The first thought that comes to mind is certainly impregnation. Rightly so. A properly selected impregnant lets you enjoy a wooden surface longer in pristine condition and color. Impregnation itself hinders water from penetrating deeper into the wood, protects against fire, prevents mold, fungi, and insects from developing. Additionally, this process delays aging and enhances the wood grain. What methods of wood impregnation do we have to choose from?
We can distinguish two types of wood impregnation:
Surface impregnation
This type of impregnation involves external saturation of the wood by painting or spraying.
Deep impregnation
Here the wood is saturated by a vacuum-pressured or non-pressurized method.
What to impregnate wood with?
What is the best way to impregnate wood, for example a wooden garden gazebo? Impregnants can be broadly divided into water-based and solvent-based preparations. The former are usually used indoors because they have good protective properties, but relatively poor resistance to leaching. Solvent-based impregnants, on the other hand, are more resistant to external factors.
There are impregnants on the market with various properties and additional benefits, designed for different needs and applications. The most popular solutions here are:
- fire-protective impregnates – hindering ignition of wood and the spread of flames
- water-repellent impregnates – protecting against moisture
- biological protection impregnates – destroying bacteria, mold, insects, fungi and preventing their formation
- therapeutic impregnates – used as needed on surfaces already attacked by insects, fungi, mold
In addition to those listed above, we can also reach for preparations that combine several different uses. More details on wood impregnants can be found in our article Which wood impregnant?.
Protecting wood - other methods
Besides impregnants, you can successfully use varnishes, stains, or glaze-lacquers.
Varnishing
It protects wood from mechanical damage (wear and scratches), biological corrosion, as well as water and sun. It revives color and emphasizes the grain. Varnishing often needs to be repeated — even once every two years. Before varnishing, it is best to coat the wood with a clear impregnant. It is recommended to perform a test on an inconspicuous spot before applying the varnish.
Painting with enamel
Enamel protects the façade for several years (from 5 up to 8). It is used on surfaces with a low risk of mechanical damage. It is best to apply a clear impregnant twice to the façade, and then paint with an alkyd enamel twice.
Staining
Stains penetrate deep into the wood, giving it color. They protect the façade for roughly 4 years. Staining only to a small extent slows the growth of mold and mildew, so wood that has been seasoned but not kiln-dried should be additionally protected with varnish or wax. Restoring stained and unvarnished façades involves dulling and re-staining.
Lacquer-staining
This solution is used particularly in moisture-prone places. It protects wood for at least 5 years. The lacquer-stain layer is applied two or three times. Renewal involves smoothing with sandpaper and applying a clear varnish.
Wood glaze
A wood glaze creates the strongest coating. Some market products provide protection for wood up to 8 years. A glaze shields against weather, UV radiation, moss and lichen growth, as well as fungi and insects — which is especially important when using seasoned wood (in Drewnolandia we exclusively recommend and use kiln-dried wood, which is desinfected, i.e. free from fungi and pests that could develop over time).
Protecting outdoor wood - what to remember?
The advantages of wooden houses, as well as wooden gazebos, cabins, or carports are something we hardly need to convince anyone of. Yet remember that every wood requires careful care, and thus protection with the right product. Before applying the product, make sure to thoroughly clean the wood surface of dirt, deposits, sand, dust, grease, and other substances that hinder adhesion. While applying the product, strictly follow the instructions on the packaging.
Lacquer-stain or impregnant - how to choose the right product?
The right product choice depends primarily on the effect we want to achieve (e.g., visible wood texture, covering effect, gloss, duration of protection). If you have doubts in this area — contact us. Our specialists will advise the right preparation — best suited to the individual needs and requirements of the built house, gazebo, or carport.